Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 12th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 12, 2023
Yesterday, Fr Michael and I had the joy of celebrating the 48th anniversary of our priestly ordination, a day for thanksgiving and for many happy memories. God has been very good to both of us, allowing us to serve him in a large variety of ministries in many parts of the world, mostly unexpected and undreamt of when we were ordained by Bishop Daniel Mullins back then in 1975, a Holy Year decreed by Pope St Paul VI, of happy memory. In fact, Fr Dyfrig and I were staying at St Paul outside the Walls that night of 6th August 1978, when Pope Paul passed to his eternal reward. We were in the garden chatting after supper when news came of his death. It was the end of an era.
Today, in our English Benedictine monasteries, we keep the feast of St Benet Biscop, 628-690, Abbot of Jarrow and Wearmouth, a man who exerted enormous influence over the life of English monasteries, encouraging learning and scholarship and the introduction of Roman customs and traditions. He was, for example, the Venerable Bede’s abbot. Do read what you can about him, a fascinating man and an outstanding international figure.
Our Gospel reading of Mark, (Mk 1: 40-45), continues with the healing of a leper. We read, “A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course, I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.” We note the courage of the leper who comes to kneel before Jesus and the compassion of Our Lord, who stretches out his hand and heals the man, like a new creation. I always think of Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel ceiling of God creating Adam. Then Christ’s order that he show himself and give the appropriate offering to the priest in order to have his cure ratified. He orders the man to tell no one, but the man does the exact opposite, so that everyone gets to learn about it, as a result of which Jesus is no longer free to travel about openly. The whole world wants to be healed.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.